⚡ Boulder’s power grid is faltering. Here’s what Xcel is doing.

Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by The Chautauqua Association. Use code LOCAL15 at chautauqua.com to save 15% on stays from Aug. 20 through Sept. 11.

Leading today: We’re back with the second installment of Rewiring Boulder, our series examining a power grid under growing pressure from outages, wildfires and climate change. Part one explored why about 140 of Boulder’s 490 miles of power lines remain above ground, largely because of limited funding and political will. Today, Por Jaijongkit examines the major undergrounding and grid-hardening projects Xcel is pursuing and explains why burying lines within the city alone will not solve Boulder’s reliability problems.

Also today: From powerlines to rail lines, Silvia Pettem takes us back to the days when the steam-powered Switzerland Trail hauled coal and supplies into Boulder County’s mining towns and returned with silver and gold ore. The railroad later reinvented itself as a mountain escape for tourists before floods and automobiles brought it to an end.

Plus more, Below the Fold:

Weather: Heat continues as storm chances increase.
Boulder Reservoir: Possible harmful algae bloom closes swim beach.
County meetings: Commissioners weigh development plan and child care tax.
Mental health grants: County opens $4.1 million grant pool.
Boulder Creek Park: City celebrates new downtown park name.
Scott Carpenter Park: City completes Boulder Creek bridge repairs.
Rattlesnakes: Dog bitten at Foothills Community Park.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

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As Boulder’s power grid falters, Xcel begins major undergrounding projects

Xcel is moving forward with projects along U.S. 36 and 75th Street while Boulder develops a broader strategy to reduce outages and wildfire risk. Continue reading…

Boulder once had a railroad into the mountains. Here’s what happened to it.

The narrow-gauge railroad carried ore and supplies between Boulder County’s mining towns before reinventing itself as a mountain escape for tourists. Continue reading…

Heat continues as storm chances rise

A heat advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. Monday. Skies will be sunny, with a high near 98. There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms Monday night.

Tuesday will remain hot and mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Showers and thunderstorms are possible Tuesday night, with a 50% chance of precipitation.

Storm chances will increase Wednesday, with a 60% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms and a high near 90.

Possible harmful algae bloom closes Boulder Reservoir swim beach

The Boulder Reservoir swim beach temporarily closed Saturday after city staff observed what may be a harmful algae bloom in several areas of the reservoir. Staff collected samples for testing and asked visitors to keep dogs out of the water as a precaution.

The reservoir remained open to watercraft, but users were advised to avoid contact with water in areas showing signs of algae. The reservoir was not being used as a city drinking water source at the time.

Separately, the city this summer launched a diver-assisted effort to remove Eurasian watermilfoil, an invasive aquatic plant that has spread across much of the reservoir’s western coves.

Updates are available at BoulderRez.org or by texting “BPRReservoir” to 888-777.

Boulder Reservoir swim beach on June 3, 2026. Credit: Por Jaijongkit.

Boulder County weighs new property tax and long-term development plan this week

Boulder County commissioners will hold two public hearings this week on consequential proposals: an update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and a possible property tax increase for early childhood programs.

Commissioners will conduct their second review of the comprehensive plan at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Updated every 10 years, the plan guides development and establishes long-term priorities for both the City of Boulder and Boulder County.

Recent discussions have focused on how the plan should characterize Boulder Municipal Airport. Other proposed language changes address housing diversity, land use and efforts to create more fire-adapted communities.

The hearing can be attended online or in person at the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St. Registration is required to speak.

At a separate hearing Thursday, July 23, commissioners will consider placing a property tax increase on the November ballot to support early childhood care and education.

The proposal would raise property taxes by 2.579 mills, or about $2.58 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The money would be used to make child care more affordable, expand licensed care for infants and toddlers and strengthen the early childhood workforce.

Written comments may be submitted in advance to commissioners@bouldercounty.gov

County opens applications for $4.1 million in mental health grants

Boulder County is accepting grant applications from community organizations, health care providers and government agencies that provide mental health and substance use services.

Of the $4.1 million available, $2 million is designated for treatment services, $1.1 million for prevention programs and training, and $1 million for recovery-oriented services, including peer support, case management and transitional care. Applicants must serve Boulder County residents, with priority given to programs assisting historically underserved communities. Applications are due Aug. 27.

The grants are funded through a three-year sales and use tax that Boulder County voters approved in 2025. The tax is intended to expand mental health and substance use treatment, prevention programs, crisis response and recovery services.

Boulder to celebrate newly named downtown park Thursday

The City of Boulder will hold a naming celebration for Boulder Creek Park from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 23.

The downtown park encompasses the Civic Area and Central Park, stretching from Ninth to 13th streets and from Canyon Boulevard to Arapahoe Avenue. The celebration will feature family-friendly activities, desserts and live music from the Jenn Cleary Music Trio. Information about plans for the park’s redesign will also be available. Construction is expected to begin in late 2027.

The name “Boulder Creek Park” was selected through a community engagement process involving students from Boulder High School’s Zonta Club, Growing Up Boulder, RIOS and CU Boulder. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved the name in June.

Boulder completes repairs to bridge near Scott Carpenter Park

The City of Boulder has completed repairs to an aging bridge across Boulder Creek near Scott Carpenter Park.

Deteriorating timber and damaged steel components required more extensive work than routine maintenance. Repairs completed this spring include structural improvements and replacing the bridge’s wooden decking with steel and concrete.

The city plans to paint the bridge this fall to protect its steel components from weather damage. The work is part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program.

Rattlesnake bites dog at Foothills Community Park

Boulder police are warning residents to watch for rattlesnakes after a dog was bitten at Foothills Community Park.

Rattlesnakes may strike when startled or when a pet gets too close. Visitors should remain alert and listen for the sound of a rattling tail, which can signal that a snake is nearby.

Anyone who encounters a rattlesnake should keep their distance and contact Boulder Animal Protection through the police department’s nonemergency dispatch line at 303-441-3333.

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